French victims of nuclear bomb testing are getting a multimillion-pound payout... while British veterans are still being ignored.

This week the French government announced it was "time to be true to its conscience" and revealed a £9million compensation package.

In Britain the Ministry of Defence continues to fight claims by veterans who suffer health problems such as cancers, skin conditions, bone disorders and 10 times the normal rate of birth defects in their children.

But after more than 40 years of similar denials, the authorities in France have agreed to pay out to veterans and civilians who fell ill following tests in the Pacific.

Each claim will be dealt with by a tribunal and - in a major breakthrough - victims will not have to prove they were irradiated, as many records were lost or destroyed.

If the French government wants to fight each payout it must prove something else caused the illnesses.

Meanwhile, of 22,000 British veterans who witnessed test blasts between 1952 and 1967, only 3,000 are still alive.

The Sunday Mirror has campaigned for justice for them since 2002 but successive governments have insisted Brits were - unharmed, despite being ordered to watch as bombs were exploded above them on Christmas Island in the South Pacific. France joins Russia, China, America, Australia, New Zealand and the Isle of Man, which all admit servicemen were harmed by bomb tests.

Serge Vauley, 64, is one of thousands of French victims who will finally be compensated for their sacrifice with up to £60,000 each. Mr Vauley, from Normandy, who has suffered serious breathing problems for 40 years, said he was "absolutely disgusted" his comrades in Britain were still being snubbed. He said: "It is about time that the British Government woke up to its responsibilities.

"I only hope that our win has brought yours closer."

HOW OTHER COUNTRIES SHAME US..

Russia

Test veterans get a medal, pension, pride of place in parades and use of a special radiation hospital.

China

China, which carried out 45 tests, last year announced military and civilian veterans would get pensions.

America

Ronald Reagan introduced a compensation deal in 1990 which has since paid out a total of Û1.4billlion.

Isle of Man

Last year its leaders agreed to pay Manx test vets £8,000 each after hearing Sunday Mirror evidence.

Aust/NZ

Vets with any illnesses known to be caused by radiation are entitled to subsidised private medical care.

..& Britain?

The Government still insists our veterans were not harmed and denies any responsibility.